July 22, 2021
It has been over a year since COVID-19 first uprooted our lives. There is a shared desire to be in community, to feel a sense of normalcy and safety, and to gather with our loved ones and friends in person. With the reopening of our state, we have been able to do this little by little.
But at the same time, we are experiencing a gun violence crisis that is continuing to threaten our sense of safety. This past weekend, there were several shootings that sadly resulted in the loss of two lives. These shootings cause fear in our community, and make many of us hesitant to gather and commune.
Successfully addressing gun violence takes more than law enforcement. It also takes our community to band together and keep our youth engaged and supported, understand social determinants and how they can lead to gun and community violence, and advocate for policy and legislation that addresses public safety concerns.
We want to acknowledge our amazing partners and organizations who have been continuing to provide intervention and prevention work behind the scenes. Community-based organizations have been working around the clock to provide boots-on-the-ground support to victims and their families. They are the unseen heroes who tirelessly work to prevent gun violence in our city.
Thank you to our community partners, including:
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC)
Portland Restoration Academy (PRA)
Royal Harris
Community Healing Initiative (CHI)
Office of Community & Civic Life - Graffiti Removal Program
Somali American Council Of Oregon (SACOO)
Youth Organized and United to help (Y.O.U.th) – Books Not Bar OR